AREAS OF PRACTICE

Business & Commercial LawThe legal issues involved in purchasing or selling a business require experience and expertise to ensure that the risks of transactions are minimised.

We are able to offer a service to clients which draws on many years of experience in acting for small businesses as well as an ongoing involvement in continuing education in the areas of law most relevant to the needs of business owners.

Commercial PropertyOver recent years, commercial property law has become particularly complex. Commercial leases, in particular, demand an approach which takes into account the business circumstances of the clients for whom we act. Through many years experience, we are able to quickly gain an understanding of the particular needs of landlord and tenant clients as they relate to the negotiation and drafting of commercial leases.​

Debt RecoveryIf you are having difficultly recovering a debt, a telephone call or letter of demand from a lawyer is often all that is needed to obtain payment.

Employment LawWe work with both employers and employees across a full range of employment issues. We can assist with preparing comprehensive employment and contracting agreements as well as advising on workplace policies, health and safety obligations, holiday and leave requirements, privacy and human rights obligations, restraint of trade and confidentiality matters.We aim to help you avoid workplace disputes – but if they do arise, we have experience in resolving them through mediation and other dispute resolution methods along with providing representation in the Employment Relations Authority and the Employment Court.

Enduring Powers of AttorneyAn enduring power of attorney allows you to appoint someone you trust to make decisions for you when you are unable to do so – for example, if you suffer a serious injury, mental illness or other health problem.There are two types of enduring powers of attorney:

An enduring power of attorney for property allows your appointed attorney to manage your assets; and

An enduring power of attorney for personal care and welfare covers your health, care and accommodation requirements.

The most important aspect of enduring powers of attorney is your ability to select a person that you trust to make the right decisions for you and to act in your best interests.If you do not have enduring powers of attorney and you lost the ability to make decisions for yourself, a Court application would be needed to appoint someone to make decisions for you. Significantly more cost and time would be involved and you would have no say in the person appointed by the Court. ​

Family Law ​

Family law covers a lot of areas. We’ll talk about relationship property as a separate category elsewhere, but Insight Legal can call upon combined experience of over 130 years in dealing with all aspects.

If you need advice about

Adoption;

Parenting disputes and guardianship issues such as who children live with, their rights to have contact with their parents, where they live and go to school;

Family violence;

Or any combination of those things that can dominate lives for years;

give us a call.

Legal AidIn certain limited circumstances, we can assist on a legal aid basis.

Limited LicencesIf you have been suspended or disqualified from driving, you may still be able apply for a limited licence. A limited licence allows you to drive but subject to restrictions on where, when and for what reason.Commonly, limited licences are granted for work purposes – either because driving is an essential part of your job or because you need transport to travel to work and public transport options are not available.A limited licence can also be available if your inability to drive would cause “undue hardship” to others. For example, if a family member relies on you to drive them to medical appointments.Insight Legal can help you prepare the limited licence application documentation and guide you through the Court process so that your application has the best chance of success.

RefinanceWhether you are changing banks, or obtaining further lending from your current bank, Insight Legal will complete the legal documentation promptly and efficiently.

Relationship Property

Once again, Insight Legal has the advantage of over 130 years combined practice experience to assist you. Relationship property is a large and sometimes complex area of law. From drafting agreements to identify property rights in advance, through court proceedings, to documents recording final agreements, Insight Legal offers you access to considerable practical experience.

Residential Property

​Buying or selling a house can be one of the most stressful experiences you will encounter. The stakes are high because it is often your biggest asset, and you need the confidence that comes with dealing with experts. Insight Legal has a team of trained, experienced lawyers and legal executives who will guide you through every step, at highly competitive prices.

SubdivisionsInsight Legal can help with your subdivision – whether you are an owner wishing to subdivide your property or a large scale developer.

We have experience with fee simple, cross lease and unit title subdivisions, boundary adjustments and amalgamation of titles.

If you have a cross lease property, we can help you:

correct defects in the title resulting from additions or alterations to buildings; and

unlock value in your property by converting it to a fee simple or unit title.

TrustsTrusts have become an increasingly popular and recognised method of managing and protecting assets.

There can be a number of reasons for establishing a trust:

If you are in business, a trust can protect personal and family assets from business risks and claims;

Preserving and managing assets for children or other dependents;

As a mechanism to administer assets for someone who cannot manage their own affairs – for example, due to age or physical or mental disability;

Protecting assets from relationship claims;

Protecting your children’s inheritance from relationship or other claims;

To ensure that certain assets (such as a family farm) are retained and transferred to the next generation; and

Protecting assets from claims against your estate after you have passed away.

Insight Legal can help you decide if a trust is right for you and can guide you in putting the right structure in place.

WillsA will sets out your instructions for the distribution of your assets when you die.

While a will primarily deals with your assets, it can also cover other matters – such as appointing guardians for your children.

Even if you don’t own substantial assets, you should still make a will. Your assets can change over time or you might have family heirlooms or items of sentimental value that you would like to pass to particular family members.

If you have a will, you should review your will if your circumstances change. For example, if you separate from your spouse or partner, any provision that you have made for them in your will continues to be valid until either you change your will or formal separation or divorce orders are issued by the court.

If you get married, you should also make a new will. Marriage automatically cancels your will unless the will is expressly made in contemplation of your marriage.

If you die without a will, the Administration Act sets out how your assets are distributed – generally to your closest living family members in specified proportions. This may not reflect what you would have wanted and generally results in higher costs in administering your estate. Having a will gives you more control over who benefits from your estate and minimises the cost to your family.​

When you need sound legal advice contact Insight Legal.

Useful LinksAs a service to our clients we have compiled a list of useful financial and property advice links.View links>>